Our Value Statements

Approved by the Community Farm Land Trust Board of Directors, August 14, 2018

We believe in:

1. Perpetuity: We believe that sustainable farming practices support people, the local economy, soil health now and for future generations and benefits all creatures. We pledge ourselves to acquire or preserve farmland for economic and social benefits to the community. 2. Community:We believe in working collaboratively with farm owners seeking to leave their farm as a working farm legacy and with farmers who seek affordable access to land. We also believe that:

The community is seeking a deeper connection to local farmers.

Our organization can facilitate that connection.

We can help the community work to preserve some of our rich farmland for affordable long-term lease to future generations of farmers.

We value the opportunity to work in partnership with like-minded organizations to strengthen the results of our common work toward a more sustainable future.

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3. Equity: We are committed to equity of access to farmland by working to overcome the affordability barrier that some farmers face as they reach for secure land tenure. The Community Land Trust model* allows farmers to develop financial equity in farm buildings and the right to lease land for farming. We believe in promoting land security, affordability, and the opportunity to build farm assets for farmers, regardless of social status. 4. Farming: We believe in the viability of local small scale farms and that when farmers follow best farming practices their work benefits not only their farm family but the community. The community gains from a strong local agricultural economy and a healthier environment.5. Creativity:We are committed to the creative/innovative approach of the shared equity community/private-owner land tenure strategy of the community land trust model for making land affordable and farmed, forever. We believe the model’s innovative strategies keep our community’s farming heritage and quality of life. We willingly take on the challenging decisions ahead of us with a creative and innovative spirit. ​

*Our application of the Community Land Trust model to farmland involves keeping the cost of access to land low for farmers without the wealth needed to purchase land, providing a means for farmers to hold equity in the farm, and including the larger community in the commitment to assure success of local farming. ​